Martello Tower Test

Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality › KwaMaqoma (Fort Beaufort)

The Martello Tower in Fort Beaufort is a little garrison dating back to the nineteenth century during the Napoleonic Wars. Many Martello's were built in several different countries, with two of them being in South Africa. The Fort Beaufort Martello is the only one in the world that was not built near the sea. Usually a Martello tower has two levels and is about 12 meters high and consists of a battalion with an officer and 15 to 25 men. This round structure was made of think stone walls with a flat topped roof with space for artillery that had 360 degrees movement in order to protect the fort. Martello's became outdated when powerful rifles weaponry came into use. In Fort Beaufort, The Martello was flanked by another building which has now become a museum displaying military items and exhibiting a wealth of history.

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